Integrated Fluidic Module Rotary Valve Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microfluidic devices for clinical diagnostics are costly, space-consuming, and lack modular design, making them unsuitable for industrial applications and high-volume mass production, with electromagnetic valves and pumps being unreliable and difficult to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
An integrated fluidic module with a built-in rotary valve, featuring a fluid manifold, valve stator, and valve rotor, which uses microchannels and alignments of through holes and grooves for fluid path switching, reducing costs and equipment space while improving reliability and manufacturability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electromagnetic valves and external pumps are used to regulate fluid operations, then fluid control functions are achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the valve structure directly into the fluid manifold, merging what were previously separate components (valves and fluid delivery system) into a unified integrated fluidic module. This eliminates the need for external electromagnetic valves and pumps, reducing device complexity while maintaining fluid control functionality through the built-in valve mechanism with rotor, stator, and channel configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated fluidic module provides multiple fluid control functions through a single unified structure. The valve mechanism can regulate multiple fluid paths simultaneously, and the built-in valve structure serves both as part of the fluid delivery system and as the control mechanism, eliminating the need for separate external components
2Reliability
If electromagnetic valves and pumps are used, then fluid dispensing and regulating are achieved, but equipment space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is merged with the fluid manifold to form an integrated unit, eliminating the need for separate external valves and pumps. This consolidation dramatically reduces the equipment space required while maintaining all necessary fluid control functions within a compact modular structure
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is nested within the fluid manifold structure. The rotor and stator components are positioned within the manifold body, with channels integrated throughout, creating a space-efficient nested configuration that eliminates the need for separate external components
3Ease of manufacture
If tubing is used to connect electromagnetic valves and pumps, then fluid delivery is achieved, but lifespan and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid delivery channels are integrated directly into the manifold structure rather than using separate tubing connections. This eliminates the tubing that previously connected external valves and pumps, removing the reliability issues associated with tubing while maintaining ease of manufacture through the integrated modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic tubing component is extracted and eliminated from the system. By integrating channels directly into the manifold, the design removes the tubing that caused reliability and lifespan issues, while still achieving fluid delivery through the built-in channel network
4Ease of operation
If individual electromagnetic valves regulate each reagent chamber, then fluid path control is achieved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve mechanism provides multi-functional control over multiple fluid paths simultaneously. The rotor with multiple openings and the stator with multiple channels work together to regulate different reagent chambers through a single unified valve structure, eliminating the need for multiple individual electromagnetic valves while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is segmented into functional zones within the rotor and stator, with specific openings and channels configured to control different fluid paths. This segmentation allows independent control of multiple reagent chambers through a single integrated valve structure, maintaining operational flexibility without requiring multiple separate valves
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated fluidic module includes a fluid manifold, a valve stator, a valve rotor and a valve housing. The fluid manifold includes microchannels connected to a sample reaction unit, and fluid input channels connected to fluid sources. The valve stator includes at least one groove and plural through holes, at least one groove is connected with at least one of the plural through holes, and parts of the groove and through holes are communicated with the microchannels and the fluid input channels. The valve rotor includes at least one groove. The valve housing accommodates the valve rotor and the valve stator. When the valve rotor is rotated to different positions, at least one groove of the valve rotor is connected with at least one through hole or groove of the valve stator to provide at least one fluid path and enable fluids provided by the fluid sources to be directed to corresponding chambers of the sample reaction unit through the fluid path.